The Medusa Nebula | ESO

The Medusa Nebula | ESO

The European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile has captured a detailed image of the Medusa Nebula (also known Abell 21 and Sharpless 2-274). As the star at the heart of this nebula made its final transition into retirement, it shed its outer layers into space, forming this colorful cloud. The image foreshadows the final fate of the Sun, which will eventually also become an object of this kind.

Distance: 1,500 light years

Credit: European Southern Observatory (ESO)

Release Date: May 20, 2015

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